The Christmas Ship

		The Arrival This famous painting by marine painter Charles Vickery, depicts The Rouse Simmons coming in to the port of Chicago in the late 1800's with a Christmas tree lashed to her topmast. 2007 non-concert Special Appearances: Sat, Dec 1, 2007, 8 am-noon, Join us at Navy Pier to welcome the NEW US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, as she brings Christmas Trees to Chicago. WCCQ DJ Rich Renik and I will tell stories and music at Center Court Navy Pier. We are working on a date for Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo in IL. Rich Renik and I will be trading songs and stories again. The Zoo truly IS magical at night, with holiday lights and community decorated trees.
The Blue Water Band Nov 24, 2007 one show only We are thrilled to be returning to our favorite venue for this year's 16th Annual Christmas Ship Concert McAninch Art Center (Mainstage) College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn IL Reserved seating. Get advance tickets now, or call the box office at 630-942-4000

Imagine a tall ship, a three-masted sailing schooner, sailing down Lake Michigan at the end of the shipping season.

Imagine a bright evergreen tree tied to her topmost mast, and the scent of pine wafting in to shore as the ship, laden with fresh-cut pine trees, headed for southern ports such as Chicago and Milwaukee.

Imagine picking your fresh-cut Christmas tree right off the boat, and taking it home to start your holiday season.

This was the scene in November and December in Milwaukee, Chicago and many other Great Lakes cities, during the heyday of the lumber trade on the Great Lakes-around the end of nineteenth century, and in Chicago, re-enacted right up until the early 1930s.

Join Lee Murdock as he celebrates this holiday tradition in song, along with many other songs and stories about the Great Lakes.

The Sixteenth Annual Christmas Ship Concert

Featuring Lee Murdock
with the Blue Water Band

Saturday, November 24, 2007
One show only: 8:00 p.m.
at the McAninch Theater at College of DuPage
(see link for map & pictures)
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Order early to reserve the best seats. Walk-ups welcome, too, this is a spacious and beautiful art center with lots of parking and plenty of seats!

This will be your only chance this year to see Lee Murdock with the Blue Water Band. A great holiday weekend outing for the whole family.

For Reservations and Info: 630-942-4000, or online

See MORE Christmas Ship Appearances by Lee Murdock for 2007

A Few More Christmas Ship Links:

Historian and Author Fred Neuschel hosts the definitive site for historical information about the Rouse Simmons and dozens of other Christmas Tree ships that sailed the Great Lakes. (Finally!) This year, Fred's book about the Christmas Tree Ships has been released. You can purchase it at my concerts, or in my online store.

Chicago's Christmas Ship re-enactment at Navy Pier, with the USCG Cutter Mackinaw.

The Clipper Ship Gallery, in Brookfield, Illinois, home port for the late maritime artist, Charles Vickery.